Q: I am trying to find diet grape soda — any brand — in the Powder Springs area. This is my husband's favorite soda and we have not been able to find it in any store for over a year. I recall mostly buying the Big K brand diet grape soda in 2-liter bottles at Kroger, but they cannot tell me why they no longer stock the product. In my search of all our local groceries and drugstores, I can readily find regular grape soda in many brands, and the diet version of most other drinks, but not grape. Can you help me either find the diet grape soda or tell me why it is no longer sold? Thank you. — Judy Sorrells, email
A: The next time you go to a supermarket in search of diet grape soda, skip the regular beverage aisle and, instead, take a peek at the natural foods section, because that’s where I found Zevia zero calorie grape soda at Kroger, 4400 Brownsville Road, Powder Springs, 770-222-4200. Sweetened with Stevia, Zevia grape soda contains no sugar nor artificial sweeteners. A six-pack sells for $3.99.
Q: I just came across a recipe for a root beer float cake. I loved root beer floats as a kid, and the idea of a root beer float cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is scrumptious. One problem — finding the root beer flavoring by McCormick. Can you help? Thanks. — Christy Waehner, Atlanta
A: Christy, I’m not sure which recipe you plan to use, but most of the ones I found for root beer float cakes call for either real root beer or extract. So that you can make your cake without having to order McCormick root beer flavoring online, I’m sending you to a local cake and candy supply store that stocks a wide variety of extracts and flavorings, including root beer. Wander into Cake Art, 3744 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, 493-1305, and you’ll come across Silver Cloud root beer extract. A 4-ounce bottle costs $10.99.
Q: I have been looking for a product for months, and hope you can tell me where I can locate it in Atlanta. It is called Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil for the face. Thank you. — Claire Simpson
A: Claire, you won’t have to go far to pick up Palmer’s Cocoa Butter oil. You can find all you need at Walgreens, 1650 Buford Highway, Cumming, 678-455-7739. Check out aisle 1, and on the bottom shelf you’ll spot 1-ounce bottles of Palmer’s oil for $10.99 each.
Q: Where can we find taper dinner candles? I need the school colors. Thanks. — Dorothy Schense, Covington
A: Dorothy, I have no idea what school colors you’re seeking, but I’ll bet they’re represented at Pier 1 Imports, 1486 Dogwood Drive, Conyers, 770-785-9932. The store stocks Italian tapers made of paraffin wax in several solid colors, including red, orange, purple, turquoise, burgundy and pink. Of course, white also is available. Each candle sells for $1.50.
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